Lahore Review

 What is it all about?

As earnest and well-intentioned, first time helmer Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's `Lahore' is a high-minded sports drama attempting not only to merge brotherhood between India and Pakistan but also dedicates itself to entertaining the audience via its kick-boxing duels as it introduces another exciting sport to Indian cinema called kick boxing coming after some decent drives with cricket based flicks like `Lagan', `Jannat' and missing the net from other football flicks. More `action' oriented and less motivationally `desi' then `Chak De' based on the Indian national sports hockey, `Lahore' scores on its action and doesn't get involved in Pak bashing, the sort of thing that always goes down very easily.

The Story...of course

The selection of the Indian kick-boxing team is to be done. The final stage of qualification is in process. Amidst all this there is a minister (K. Jeeva), who wants his favourite participant to be selected; a coach (Farooque Shaikh), who wants merit to be the order of the day; an aspirant (Sushant Singh), who dreams to qualify purely on the basis of his merit; another aspirant (Kelly Dorji), who is over-confident, well connected and aims high to represent India.

The focus shifts to Kuala Lumpur. Two opponents, Dhirendra Singh (Sushant Singh) from India comes face to face with Noor Mohammad (Mukesh Rishi) from Pakistan. But an unexpected incident takes place. The sports fraternity stands numb.

The two nations meet in Lahore for a fresh kick-boxing tournament. This time, Noor Mohammed comes face-to-face with Virendra Singh (Aanaahad), Dhirendra's brother. Winning the game is not the only thing on his mind. Virendra wants to settle some old scores and restore the lost pride of the nation.

What to look out for?

First time helmer Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan shows his potential with `Lahore' as an engrossing story teller. Technicians like action director Tony Leung Siu Hung, cinematographer Neelabh Kaul, background score Wayne Sharpe, production design Kesto Mondal, support the director in his cause with their brilliance making `Lahore' a well crafted flick that also comes with a social message and terrific performance where Farooque Shaikh is outstanding. Saurabh Shukla is fantastic. Sabyasachi Chakraborty is excellent. Sushant Singh is praiseworthy. Shraddha Nigam impresses, Mukesh Rishi is commendable. Shraddha Das manages to make herself being noticed. Nafisa Ali is competent. Ashish Vidyarthi does a sincere job. K. Jeeva, Kelly Dorji and Nirmal Pandey do their act professionally.

Even in this talented crowd, Aanaahad, makes his mark and portrays a neat performance that opens his gates in Bollywood as an actor with talent. 

What not?

Suffering from some predictability disease, the movie also takes some cinematic liberties like Aanaahad who plays a gentleman's sport like cricket gets chosen to play an altogether `bloody' different sport like kick boxing may not be easy for some to digest.

Conclusion: Making decent buzz at festivals, `Lahore' is a well crafted flick that also comes with a social message and terrific performance, Warner Bros in India should be at least proud to have a decent flick in their hands which promises more in its post theatre package.

Rating: ***